Guten Tag!

September 21, 2010

The Sognefjord of Western Norway

It may possibly be one of the most beautiful spots in the world, western Norway. I defy you to find some place more dramatic. Even Germany cowers in its Lederhosen when it thinks of the fjords of Norway. In fact, as I said to Mr. Lush, Norway is pretty much Germany on steroids...only...a lot further north...and...a wee bit colder in the winter...and by a 'wee bit,'--I mean a whole hell of a lot.

It must be noted, however, that Norway doesn't have Schnitzel--or Frau Müller and her golden chariot filled with flaky pastries--and THAT is why I could never live there.

We left early in the morning from Oslo on a five hour train ride up, up, up above the tree-line, through high mountain passes.

Along the way, we marveled at the gorgeous scenery. I daydreamed about living in little Norwegian villages. When it comes to daydreams and views from the train like these, the loyalty I have to my own nationality begins to waver. One look at the charming views, and I was ready to instantly give up my citizenship.

It was a cool, overcast August morning. The fog rose high into the mountains.

We changed trains in a little mountain town called Myrdal, where we witnessed what may be the world's weirdest lip-synced opera, at the Kjosfossen Waterfall. The woman you see down there in the photo was played by about five or six different women. After singing her part, one woman would duck down behind the rocks--and then, suddenly reappear hundreds of yards away, in a completely different spot...still singing opera! It was...Norwegian magic! And pretty creepy.

After the show, we continued on to the harbor in Flam.

And, finally, it was time to see the fjords.

We weren't disappointed.

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It was an incredible journey. Unfortunately, on the way home we were subjected to views like the one below.

How disappointing.

Luckily, my spirits were lifted when I saw the vacation home I'm going to buy, from the window of our train.

Well, I guess if you're into mountains and fresh air and that sort of thing. How you went to Norway and didn't visit Dale headquarters to steal the secret stash of knitting patterns they hide from the rest of us THAT I KNOW ARE IN THERE is completely beyond me.